The Fresno County Clerk has expressed openness to discussions about establishing a second in-person vote center in southwest Fresno. Currently, the area is served by just one vote center, located at the West Fresno Regional Center on California Avenue. However, voters may not see this change until 2028 due to logistical challenges.
Community Concerns
The California Advocate, a historic Black community newspaper in Fresno, recently criticized the county for providing only one vote center in the 93706 ZIP code. Mark Kimber, the publisher, emphasized the importance of voter access in this historically underserved area, which includes Black, Latino, and working-class communities. He highlighted that while ballot drop boxes are available, they do not offer the same level of assistance as a full vote center.
Logistical Challenges
James Kus, the Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters, explained that his office has not received any direct requests this year from other locations in southwest Fresno to become vote centers. He noted that securing locations involves complex logistics, including meeting current accessibility standards and ensuring availability on both weekdays and weekends. These requirements can be challenging for potential sites like schools and churches.
Kus mentioned that while the facilities currently meet past requirements, they must adhere to updated standards, which can be difficult. He cited the example of Malaga’s Arriaga Community Center, which successfully became a vote center after updating its facilities to meet these standards.
Community Feedback
Residents have shared mixed experiences regarding the accessibility of the current vote center. Some, like Ralph Castaneda and Mary Delgado, find it convenient, while others, such as Julia Sanford, recall more accessible locations in the past. Dionne Johnson, who works at the West Fresno Regional Center, suggested that another vote center could benefit residents without easy transportation access.
For future elections, Kus encourages community members to propose potential vote center locations by contacting his office. The county’s 54 in-person vote centers remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, with nearly 70 drop boxes available throughout the county.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
